Bun Festival blues: update

That's it. It's over. This Year. Sort of.
Most everyone I know, locals and westerners alike, didn't go to watch the climbers go up the Long March steel tower. There's a feeling that what was a local festival has been hi-jacked, and cheapened. Boycott comes naturally. While some repaired to a bar to watch English soccer, live, en direct. Others fanned themselves in the open-air sections of restaurants. As the crowds passed by along the waterfront, Pak Tai Temple bound.
Then we went home.
The local Chinese-language newspapers, along with the English-language organ of record South China Morning Post, all carried extensive reports. (scmp has paid subscription; thus no link, no quotes).
A local fireman on a little island in the South China Sea won the Long March tower climb and competition. So that's good. A local lad sees off the outsiders. Comforting, too. You never know when you are going to need a fireman.
Old Thai proverb: better to have your house robbed ten times than burn down once.
Speaking of things Thai, a friend phoned me from Koh Samui. Hi, Mark B!
To tell me he'd seen the Bun Festival on BBC World TV.
It's been a real hot day. I'm going to take a shower, go to bed. Outside is night. A heavy rain shower has just started. That will cool the air somewhat, clean the streets, water the plants. Have a great day, wherever you are.